Glenury Royal Scotch Whisky

Glenury Royal Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1825 by Captain Robert Barclay

Location Highlands region Eastern district

Water source River Cowie

Distillery Demolished

Glenury Royal Whisky Distillery History

Glenury Royal was located on the east coast, Situated below the railway viaduct just north of the fishing port and resort of Stonehaven Its 'coastal' neighbours, all closed, were Glenesk, Lochside and North Port. The distillery takes its name from the local glen that the river Cowie flows through.

Captain Robert Barclay a local Member of Parliament and famous athlete and marathon walker founded the distillery in 1825. One story recalls that this flamboyant personality had a friend at court to whom he referred modestly as "Mrs Windsor" and through whose influence he was given authorisation by King William IV to use "Royal".

William Ritchie of Glasgow purchased the distillery from the Captain in 1857 The distillery became a limited company in 1890 and remained under the name of William Ritchie until 1937. When Joseph Hobbs on behalf of the National Distillers of America bought it. The NDA subsidiary Train & McIntyre, as Associated Scottish Distillers Ltd operated the Distillery.

The distillery was silent for the duration of WWII reopening in 1946 then in 1953 Train & McIntyre was acquired by DCL and the distiller was subsequently operated by SMD

During 1965-66 the distillery was renovated and 2 more stills added

Glenury was one of the distilleries that didn't survive the 1983-85 period, the market at the time was suffering from over capacity and around a dozen single malt distilleries were closed. Glenury was closed in 1985 by DCL who owned it at the time. United Distillers bought the distillery in 1986.

The license was cancelled in 1992 and in following year the site was sold for residential estate

The whisky produced was a component of the blends King William IV and Auld Toun. Produced by John Gillon & Co, Part of DCL

The Distillery also produced three locally available whiskies Garron and Downie named after local landmarks, and Old Angus a blend.

Glenury Royal Distillery Bottlings

Glenury Royal 29 Year Old 1970 – Rare Malts Selection

Glenury Royal 36 Year Old

Glenury Royal 50 Year Old

Glenury Royal Whisky Independent Bottlings  

Cadenhead’s,

Duncan Taylor,

Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail),

Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing),

Platinum (Douglas Laing),

Un-Chill Filtered (Signatory).

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